I've commented on the fact that since the fine old Nikon glass is native to Nikon cameras, we can't honorably share photos taken with these lenses, while our compatriots shooting Canon et al are free to mount AI-s glass and share their images on the Alternate Gear forum. I think it is time we gave a little love ourselves to this venerable manual focus lens that so many members own and hold in high regard. When I dipped my toe into the Nikon water, the 105 f/2.8 AI-s was the third lens I bought, largely based on comments made by members of this board. I shot with it quite a bit but then as I began building my kit it stayed home more often than not. Today I took it out and did some shooting this afternoon. When I looked at the images, I knew I had to initiate a thread to give others the opportunity to sing the praises of this fine piece of glass. I know I'm not alone among users of the D700 in taking advantage of Nikon's collection of excellent manual focus lenses. It is time for us to celebrate!

This was the shot that got me thinking along these lines... Come on down folks and share your photos taken with this great lens!

Todd Adamson wrote:
Wonderful shot! I am unable to participate at this time, but hopefully soon! Looking at an AI version at this moment, trying to determine if there's any significant optical difference...

Perhaps you know this site Todd... if not it is very useful both in learning about lens construction and also using specification numbers to tell when a lens was manufactured. It is a wonderful resource.

The AI has seven curved aperture blades, which differs somehow with the AI-s lens. The later lens also has a shorter focus throw. I don't know whether that makes a difference to shooters, though I'm very happy with the way the AI-s version focuses. The later version also has a built in hood that slides out from the body.

No doubt you're having fun exploring, as I'm sure many of us have. I was pretty lost with the Nikon nomenclature when I first came over, but it is gradually beginning to make sense to me. No doubt, all the wonderful resources available online have and continue to help, including the New Zealand site above. Hopefully you'll join us soon.

epuja wrote:
Very nice shots and great lens. Anyone have any samples with the 105/1.8?
When I was hunting for the /2.5 version I came across the /1.8 and at $450 it was a little too rich for my blood at the time. It's also a lot larger lens, but some have reported liking it better than the /2.5 version. I haven't seen one up for sale here in Seattle in quite a while, but I keep a lookout for one in case a good deal comes along.

raxafarian wrote:
...Not to steal your thread but I think the 35-70 f/2.8 is another forgotten gem.

To be honest, I was thinking about creating a thread devoted specifically to manual focus lenses manufactured by Nikon, which would include ALL the oldies but goodies. If that is something that resonates for you, have at it. If no one else gets there I'll likely start a thread myself eventually. There is no reason why folks in the Alternative Gear forum should have all the fun. Zeiss and Leica lenses may really be the very best manual focus lenses, but we certainly can enjoy what is available to us from Nikon's storied past.

jhinkey wrote:
When I was hunting for the /2.5 version I came across the /1.8 and at $450 it was a little too rich for my blood at the time. It's also a lot larger lens, but some have reported liking it better than the /2.5 version. I haven't seen one up for sale here in Seattle in quite a while, but I keep a lookout for one in case a good deal comes along.

John

What "some" is that? I've never read a bad word about the 2.5. The 1.8, however, has a mixed reputation.

luminosity wrote:
What "some" is that? I've never read a bad word about the 2.5. The 1.8, however, has a mixed reputation.

I've heard the same thing. When I was first building my Nikon kit I was looking for "good value for money" and everyone said this lens is worth having. The reviews I read were less complimentary about the faster lens, so it seemed a no-brainer for me. Nothing about the lens has disappointed me. On the contrary, when I first shot with this lens I was blown away that such quality could be had for so little money. I loved those thousand dollar Canon L lenses I owned, but this lens gives away nothing to any of them, except perhaps the 85L. It was when I shot with this lens that I truly got excited about my Nikon adventure. The rest is history...

luminosity wrote:
Yes. The 105/2.5 is as sure a bet as there is in the lens world. I've never heard of a bad copy.

It is comforting to know that Nikon made 163,738 copies of the AI-s version of this lens and 157,333 copies of the AI version. The AI-s was last made in 2005. You should have no problem finding one... E-Bay has them by the dozens...

Have to add one more photo taken this afternoon before heading to bed. These flowers were quite challenging to capture because a sporadic breeze tossed them about quite a bit. Grabbing the shot hand held while manually focusing the lens kept me on my toes. I'm pleased with this capture...

luminosity wrote:
What "some" is that? I've never read a bad word about the 2.5. The 1.8, however, has a mixed reputation.

The 1.8 is a completely different lens with a completely different look. Lower resolution wide open, spherical aberration (glow), and lots of boke character. The 2.5 looks 'cleaner'. Subjectively the 2.5 seems embraced by the straight photography crowd and the 1.8 by the artsy boke crowd.